OPEN CALL

Are you a dancer based in the Netherlands? Do you have a background in hip-hop and related styles? And are you ready to level up? Theater Rotterdam presents NORMGROUND, the renowned development programme from Far From the Norm, led by award-winning artist Botis Seva. Join us and apply now!

NORMGROUND is Far From The Norm’s dedicated artistic learning and development programme for performers from Hip-Hop and other intersecting style backgrounds. For the first time, Far From The Norm is collaborating with Theater Rotterdam to bring this programme to the Netherlands. This edition is hosted in Rotterdam and is part of festival Feeling Curious?.*

Across 13 days, participants will explore, question, and embody the creative methodologies developed by Far From The Norm and its Artistic Director, Botis Seva. With a strong emphasis on process over outcomes, participants will sharpen their own professional skillsets and further develop their artistry.

Dutch

Ben jij een performer met een achtergrond in hiphop of gerelateerde dansstijlen? Woon je in Nederland en ben je bekend met de hiphop scene? Dan is dit programma iets voor jou!

NORMGROUND is een artistiek leer- en ontwikkelingsprogramma van Far From The Norm voor dansers met een achtergrond in hiphop en gerelateerde disciplines. Theater Rotterdam en Far From the North slaan de handen ineen en brengen het programma voor het eerst naar Nederland, een splinternieuwe editie in het kader van het festival Feeling Curious?.*

Geef je op via de onderstaande aanmeldbutton!

Heb je vragen over het programma of het aanmeldingsproces? Contacteer ons via info@farfromthenorm.com

Let op! De voertaal van het programma en de communicatie met ons is volledig in het Engels.

Who can apply?

We are looking for artists...

who are 18+ years old
who are based in the Netherlands, with a primary residence in the country, and intend to remain here until March 2027
with 2+ years of professional experience; this may include (but is not limited to) battling, performing in media or live, freestyling and commercial work.
ready to further invest in their professional development and in upskilling as performers
with a background rooted in street dance styles, and may have developed within the underground or commercial dance communities, but seek to widen their practice. Specialising in other dance disciplines is a plus.
who feel overlooked; falling between Hip-Hop and Contemporary dance, and other (intersecting) dance forms.
fully available for the programme dates.

What do we offer?

A three-week programme in Rotterdam, four to five days per week
All successful applicants will be awarded a 1200 EURO bursary for participation in the programme
Coaching from renowned artists like Botis Seva, Victoria Shulungu, and Jordan Douglas, peer-to-peer feedback, and moments for collective reflection
As a part of this programme, Theatre Rotterdam commits to offering successful participants opportunities to access related venue shows and industry engagements in kind, including complimentary tickets to Botis Seva’s solo premiere Sing Child Sing on 14 November 2026
Broad exposure online and offline during Feeling Curious? festival, the international multi-day performance festival of Theater Rotterdam

APPLY HERE FOR THE OPEN CALL

For any questions, or to send your application in a different format: info@farfromthenorm.com.

Deadline: May 4 2026, 23:59 hrs (AMS time, UTC +01:00)
25 May 2026 - Applications outcome
2-3 July 2026 - Auditions and Call Backs
20 July 2026 - Applicants informed of the final outcome

Mandatory programme dates
14 November 2026 / 20:00-22:00
2-5 December 2026 / 10:00-18:00
11-15 January 2027 / 10:00-18:00
16-19 March 2027 / 10:00-18:00
*Some of the training timings might shift slightly.

Important to note:

This opportunity is open only to artists who are currently based in the Netherlands. Dutch nationality is not required.
We strongly encourage applications from artists who didn’t attend formal dance training.
We are open to applications from previous NORMGROUND participants, but we will prioritise new applicants. All participants from the latest 2025 cohort will not be considered.
The programme and all communication related to it will be in English; your application must also be submitted in English.
This edition is hosted in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Photography by Camilla Greenwell

About the team

NORMGROUND
NORMGROUND is led by Far From The Norm Artistic Director Botis Seva and delivered in collaboration with Creative Associates and Performers Victoria Shulungu and Jordan Douglas, providing participants with an opportunity to work with multiple company members.

NORMGROUND is co-designed by Far From The Norm Producer Gabija Cepelyte, a well respected producer and dance artist working within Hip-Hop and Norm’s Executive Producer Lee Griffiths, who both bring experience of nurturing Hip-Hop performers, makers and artist development offerings.

‘Theater Rotterdam presents NORMGROUND’ edition will involve contributions by the Theater Rotterdam team, including complimentary show attendance, events offering, and more.

FAQ

Will I get any feedback?
Far From The Norm and Theater Rotterdam will provide selection insight to applicants who apply but don’t receive an invite to the audition; and to those who audition but don’t get invited to the call backs. Written feedback will only be given to artists who were invited to call backs but weren’t offered a place on the programme.

Can the programme cover my audition, accommodation and travel expenses?
Far From The Norm and Theater Rotterdam will not be able to financially contribute to auditions or any other programme related expenses beyond the bursary offer.

Where can I find more information?
To find out more about Far From The Norm and previous editions of NORMGROUND, please visit farfromthenorm.com/normground.

You can contact Far From The Norm team with any questions on info@farfromthenorm.com.

*About festival Feeling Curious?

This open call is presented as part of Feeling Curious?, the international multi-day performance festival of Theater Rotterdam — a platform for artists with radical perspectives on today’s world. The festival features in-depth programmes, talks, art, celebratory gatherings, as well as workshops and other development programmes in collaboration with leading artists in the performance arts. For this edition's artist development programme, we’re partnering with Far From the Norm and their programme NORMGROUND. More information on festival Feeling Curious will follow soon. The festival takes place in January 2027. However, NORMGROUND starts at the end of 2026.